Traditional Chinese Medicine
- Home
- Traditional Chinese Medicine
- Male & Female Infertility
- Infertility Examinations & Causes
Infertility Examinations & Causes
Share
What defines infertility?
1. A couple without pregnancy after a year of regular sexual intercourse (2-3/week)
2. Both parties being older than 35 years old, and without pregnancy after 6 months of regular sexual intercourse
Common female infertility causes
Premature ovarian failure, endometriosis (adenomyosis, chocolate cysts), polycystic ovarian syndrome, fallopian tube obstruction, pelvic inflammation, immune infertility, endocrine diseases, etc.
Common male infertility causes
Varicocele, semen abnormalities (oligospermia, asthenozoospermia, teratozoospermia), vas deferens infection and obstruction, erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, congenital cryptorchidism, exposure to certain drugs or chemicals, endocrine diseases, etc.
TCM Infertility Classification
Kidney Yang Deficiency
Symptoms: Delayed or less menstrual flow, clear or watery vaginal discharge, cold abdomen, dull complexion, lower back soreness, aversion to cold, frequent nocturnal urination, decreased libido. Often seen in the elderly and those with ovarian function decline.
Treatment: Supply the kidney Yang, warm the uterus, and take medication to improve fertility.
Kidney Yin Deficiency
Symptoms: Early or little menstruation, spotting, lower back soreness, tinnitus, dizziness, feeling of fullness in the head, insomnia, and irritability. Common in individuals who stay up late, work night shifts, or have premature ovarian failure.
Treatment: Nourish the kidney Ying, and replenish energy to aid fertility.
Qi and Blood Deficiency
Symptoms: Fatigue, dizziness, palpitations, chest tightness, pale or sallow complexion, poor digestion. Common in individuals with anemia or chronic illnesses.
Treatment: Tonify Qi and nourish the blood, regulate menstruation, and aid fertility.
Liver Qi Stagnation
Symptoms: Irregular menstruation, premenstrual breast distension and bloating, emotional depression, gastric pain, irritability. Common in individuals with high work stress or a tense personality.
Treatment: Soothe the liver, relieve depression, regulate vessels to aid fertility.
Cold Accumulation and Blood Stasis
Symptoms: Dysmenorrhea, large blood clots, lower back pain during menstruation, rectal discomfort, sex during intercourse, cold extremities, lower abdominal coldness relieved by heat. Common in individuals with endometriosis, adenomyosis, or chocolate cysts.
Treatment: Warm the channels and dissipate cold, resolve stasis to aid fertility.
Damp-Heat
Symptoms: Heavy vaginal discharge that is yellow, thick, or foul-smelling, genital-itching, lower abdominal pain. Common in individuals with recurrent genital infections or pelvic inflammatory disease.
Treatment: Clear dampness and toxins, cool vessels to aid fertility.
Phlegm-Dampness
Symptoms: Irregular or delayed menstruation, weight gain, fatigue, excess body hair, acne. Common in individuals with obesity or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
Treatment: Strengthen the spleen, dry dampness, transform phlegm, and aid fertility.
TCM doctors: tips for pregnancy preparation
✅Understand your basal body temperature and ovulation patterns
✅Avoid staying up late, healthy sexual intercourse once every 3-5 days
✅Be mindful of menstrual hygiene: no sexual intercourse, no swimming or bathing
✅Pre-marital health checkup (hysterosalpingogram, semen analysis)
✅Weight control (BMI), moderate exercise
✅Alleviate stress and pressure
✅Be mindful of environmental chemicals (radiation, chemicals, temperature)